Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Rutley and Mark Garnier

Thursday 23rd March 2017 Commons Chamber

[David Rutley (Macclesfield) (Con)]

9. What steps his Department is taking to help businesses build trading opportunities abroad.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Trade (Mark Garnier)]

The Department for International Trade provides market access, support and advice to UK businesses both in the UK and in 109 markets overseas. Through the GREAT campaign we build the global appetite for British goods and services, and give UK companies access to millions of pounds’ worth of potential business through the digital services offered on the great.gov.uk website.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mark Garnier]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Trade delegations give an opportunity for small businesses to be put in front of buyers, and the Department for International Trade runs about 1,000 of them every year; I have been on a number, as have my colleagues, and they are extraordinarily successful in developing opportunities.

[David Rutley]

What steps is my hon. Friend the Minister taking to help first-time entrepreneurs become first-time successful exporters?

[Mark Garnier]

The great.gov.uk website is a tremendous opportunity, whereby entrepreneurs, many of whom are very tech savvy, can take advantage of the opportunities that we provide through our subsidised access to global e-marketplaces. They can also access the advice we provide through the website for exactly that type of business—they are supported as well.